meet our teachers

Hi all! I am Miss Madeline! I am very excited and grateful to be teaching at BSOTD this year and look forward to meeting everyone! I love being active and you can often find me going for a run, dancing, or doing yoga on my days off.

Hi! I’m Miss Lexy! I am so excited to be starting my third year at BSOTD! I am a preschool teacher in Colonie. When I am not teaching dance, I love to perform or stage manage local musicals. I also coach the varsity cheer team at La Salle Institute. I love to spend my free time at home with my husband and my daughter. I am so excited for the year to start and I can’t wait to meet everyone!!

This is my 4th season teaching at BSOTD. I love teaching dance and the community that comes along with it. I was raised bicoastally, spending the summers with my family in California and traveling often to see them while living in upstate New York. In my free time, I’m most likely hanging out with my two cats, Luna and Pluto.

Hello! My name is Miss Jeanna, this will be my third year with BSOTD! I am the youngest sibling of three by twenty years. I love meeting new people, I’m excited to see some new and familiar faces this season!

Hi everyone!! I recently graduated this spring from Siena College with my Bachelor’s in Psychology and will receive my masters in school psychology in 2028 from SUNY Albany! I work as a substitute teacher in North Colonie Schools and over the summer I am teachers Aide at BOCES!!! My hometown is Seaford, Long Island NY!! I have been dancing my whole life and love everything about it from performing to costumes and makeup!!! I am so excited to continue to work with students, watching them grow, learn and find joy in dancing as much as I do!

Hi everyone! I’m Miss Livi, and this is my fifth year teaching at BSOTD. I live in Troy, NY and work full-time at RPI. Outside of the studio, I love going on walks with my new puppy, Millie, diving into a good book, experimenting in the kitchen, and tending to my growing collection of houseplants. I’m so excited for another amazing year of dance and can’t wait to grow, learn, and have fun with all of you!

Hi I’m Miss Mackenzie and I am so excited for the 51st season at BSOTD. This is my 4th year teaching at BSOTD and I am so grateful to be back. I grew up in Slingerlands, NY and have been dancing since I was 2 years old. Dance has always been my passion, but I am also a mental health clinician at a local high school. I enjoy spending free time with my friends and family, exploring restaurants, traveling to new cities, and watching reality TV. I look forward to dancing with you this season and sharing our love for dance!

I am so excited to join the BSOTD family this year! I’ve spent the majority of my life on stage, performing in over 100 musical theatre productions across Long Island. Outside of the arts, I’m a proud kindergarten teacher and absolutely love working with this age group. Watching young learners grow, express themselves, and build confidence is one of my greatest joys—both in the classroom and now at BSOTD!

My name is Averi and I’m excited to be joining the BSOTD family for my first year! I’m originally from Long Island and I recently graduated from UAlbany with a BA in Political Science. Aside from teaching at the studio I also work for the District Attorney’s office. While at UAlbany, I was a member of the dance team for three years, and I’ve been dancing for 17 years, starting competitive dance at the age of 8. I’m really looking forward to being part of the BSOTD family and can’t wait for a great year ahead!

Hi! I’m Miss Jen! I grew up in Voorheesville and currently live there with my husband Justin, my daughter Giada (also a current BSOTD dancer!) and our sweet dog Ailee. I teach Spanish at Clayton A Bouton High & Voorheesville Middle School and started our middle/high school dance club there, where I have served as the advisor for the last ten years.

Hi! I’m Miss Olivia! Originally, I’m from the area and feel really lucky to now be teaching in the same community that helped shape me. I worked as a school psychologist before shifting into teaching dance full time, and I have both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in psychology-related fields. Supporting kids has always been at the center of what I do—just now in a more creative space. Outside the studio, I love reading mystery novels and spending time with my rescue dogs. I’m excited for another fun and meaningful season ahead.

Hi, I’m Miss Elizabeth! I’m so excited to be both a ballet instructor and the Artistic Director of BSOTD’s new production company. From the time I was little, my parents have supported my love of dance, and their encouragement still inspires me every single day as a teacher. I can’t wait to kick off our 51st season with all of you—let’s make it an unforgettable one!

Hello! My name is Miss Sofia and I am so excited to be your teacher this year! This is my first year at Barbara’s and I will be teaching ballet. When I’m not dancing I am usually coaching group fitness classes or personal training at Union college. I also enjoy going on walks, traveling, and taking workout classes!

Born and raised in Schenectady, NY, I’ve been dancing since before I could walk—thanks to my dance teacher mom. My journey has taken me from stage to screen, with credits including Theater Camp, Disney+’s Sneakerella, and regional performances in Syncopated Avenue. I’ve also worked behind the scenes on Off- and On-Broadway productions. A career highlight was receiving the inaugural Debbie Allen Inspired Award from DanceOne—an unforgettable honor. Teaching and choreographing are where my heart truly lies. Now in my 4th season with BSOTD, I’m constantly inspired by the incredible dancers I get to work with. Let’s dance!

Hi! I’m Miss Christina! I started dancing at BSOTD in 2001 and worked as a student teacher while training in ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical. I continued to dance and choreograph for the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences dance team for five years. I returned to teaching at BSOTD in 2019 and have since taught ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, tap:kickline, and fitness. Outside of dance, I work as an Oncology Clinical Pharmacist, teach fitness classes, and stay actively involved in my church community.

Hi!!! I am Miss Carly! This is my fourth season with BSOTD! Dance is my biggest passion and teaching just absolutley fills my heart. Outside of teaching and dancing, I love going to the gym, spending time with friends, or working on some sort of new craft. My favorite artist of all time is Tate McRae, and she’s been my dance idol since I was a kid! I cannot wait for this new dance season to start!

Hi! I’m Miss Rory and I’m so excited for my second year of teaching at BSOTD! I grew up in Delmar and am the youngest of 5. I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old! I look forward to meeting you and can’t wait to dance with you all this upcoming season!

Hey everyone! I’m Lauren and I am so excited to be back at Barbara’s, but on the other side! I grew up dancing at Barbara’s, starting at age 3! I recently graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a bachelors of science in biology and psychology. I’m now currently studying to attend law school! In my free time I love reading, going for walks or working out, and watching movies 🙂

Hi everyone! I’m Miss DeAnna, and I’m so excited to be back teaching at BSOTD after a short break! I live in Slingerlands with my husband, Joey, and daughter, Emilia. My full time job is teaching Special Education at Guilderland High School. In my spare time I mostly just love spending time with my big family. I love going to the beach and reading also. Looking forward to a fun dance year!

Hi! I am Miss Grace and I am so excited for the start of BSOTD season 51! This is my third year teaching at BSOTD but I have been a dancer at Barbara’s since 2004 when I was 3 years old. When I’m not dancing at the studio you can find me riding horses or spending time with my 2 cats Maverick and Wack. I also enjoy listening to music and watching football (Go Bills!). Looking forward to a great dance year!

My name is Miss Maddy! This is my 3rd Season teaching with BSOTD, but my 22nd Season working with the studio. I grew up just a short walk from BSOTD’s old location and danced with them my entire childhood. I went away for college and lived in NYC for a few years, but came back every June to help out with the Recital. When I moved back to Albany three years ago, one of the first things I did was reach out to Miss Caley. My time at Barbara’s was full of support, kindness, and fun and I wanted more than anything to pass that on to the next generation of BSOTD!

Hi! I’m Miss Erika and I love teaching dance and am excited for the new season! When not at the studio my husband and I enjoy live music, comedy, hiking, movies, documentaries, new restaurants to try, and hanging out with our pup Waffles. I have a Bachelor’s in Environmental Policy and Planning from UWGB.